Fan Fiction ❯ Jiikron: Legend of the Two ❯ Caution and Confrontations ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

“It's like, how much more black could this be? And the answer is none. None more black.” - This is Spinal Tap

Chapter Two

- Caution and Confrontations -

Metra didn't fully understand the feeling of foreboding she was experiencing as she watched Kona from the shop window while he crossed the courtyard on his way back to the shrine. The unwelcome sensation curled up in her stomach and made itself at home there. She cast a concerned glance at the embossed goblet he had been so closely studying. The raven upon its side seemed to be mocking her in a way she could not describe. The antique cup had been in that same place on the dusty old shelves for as long as she could remember. She had been very young when her father had bought it from a strange traveler, and so its history eluded her. Yet still she knew that it was undoubtedly very important, or very dangerous. It could have even been both, for all she knew; and so she had panicked and scolded Kona when he had reached out to touch it.

Metra wanted so badly to recall the origins of the silver goblet, but she simply could not find the memory in her mind. It was shrouded, perhaps, with darkness and cobwebs. And besides that, she had little time to think over the issue; a customer entered and inquired as to whether or not she had any sewing needles- she did- and how much they would cost. She sold him the merchandise and sent him on his way.

She cast a final glance out the window; the sun was setting. It had been a long day, and Metra could feel a headache blossoming behind her eyes. She rubbed her temples methodically, in hopes the budding migraine would cease to exist before it cost her a loss of sleep. Wearily she closed up the shop, which included extinguishing the lights and locking the money box. She trudged through the back room to her cozy bed. Gently she pulled the hair ribbon from her hair, releasing the tight bun she had bound so meticulously that morning. She changed into her nightgown and finally, gratefully, laid herself down on the lumpy mattress. Unfortunately, her sleep was not to be peaceful. Her dreams were haunted that night with goblets, ravens, and priests. They were not pleasant visions at all.

~@%%@%%@%%@~

If one thing remained constant about Andsaca through the many centuries he had lived, it was that he always enjoyed the impact he had when he set foot in a room. And his distinct love for the art of killing- and, oh yes, it was an art. One he had perfected quite well, he often admitted.

When he set foot in the enormous cavern in which Averna had gathered the ave, he was certainly not disappointed. Every disproportionate head swiveled his way, and an absolute silence fell, heavy and thick. Slowly his slate gray eyes perused the crowd, taking in the ugly, gaping faces that were upturned towards him.

Then Averna, the only one in the entire vicinity with the courage to shatter the stifling silence, spoke. “Welcome, my lord,” she greeted him, bowing in the process. Andsaca nodded in her direction, acknowledging her words.

“You have done well,” he responded. “It seems the whole of Jiikron's Dark population has come.” Inwardly he smirked. As if they would have dared not to. He would have beheaded them and strewn their body parts across their homes as an example: none defy Andsaca if they value their lives.

He stepped down from the sloped entrance, back straight and head held high, and headed towards the boulder which Averna still occupied. The ave parted easily. They gave him a wide berth, as he expected they would. It took him very little time to reach the boulder and climb upon it gracefully. Andsaca noted regretfully, and with no little amount of annoyance, that Averna did not vacate the spot beside him. He had several reasons for not wanting her next to him, of course, and all were perfectly legitimate. First and foremost, she did not hold nearly a high enough rank as he did. The self-proclaimed `Queen of the Night' could only dream about the amount of power that the Lord of the Darkness possessed. The second reason, the one which bruised his masculine ego rather than his pride and regal manner, was that while she was certainly better looking than any one of the beings below him, she was still not all too attractive. Her face was pretty enough, he supposed. Yet her body was imperfect. Even through the elegant maroon gown she wore he could see the displeasing shape of her hips and stomach. It was odd, he thought. She looked like a woman who had gone through childbirth recently. That idea was quickly shunned however. She was a sorceress, not a mother. But still, her figure was not one he wished to look at, or have associated even in the smallest way with his own perfect and glorious body. He would certainly have to punish her later for disregarding his wishes. True, he had not vocalized them, but was there a need? She had served him for years; could she not decipher his moods and desires? It tweaked on his nerves, but there were more important matters at hand, such as announcing to the ave why they had all been called here.

“Loyal servants,” he said. “I thank you for gathering here.” Andsaca did not even need to raise his voice. As soon as his lips parted, there was a lack of any noise, even the inhalation of breath. Once his words hit the open air, the nooks and crevices that appeared sporadically in the cave walls worked as natural microphones, amplifying and echoing his deep voice throughout the cavern.

“Do acknowledge that you have been summoned for a reason. For within the next fortnight the plan we have been drawing up for years will finally be put into motion.” Cheers would have followed this statement if the ave had not been too frightened to utter a sound. He continued, “Soon all our dreams will begin to take shape, and the Dark will rise. It will overtake the light of day, suffocating it and forcing it out of existence!” He raised a fist in the air, as if his triumph over daylight had already taken place. “We shall conquer!” At this final interjection it became apparent that this time Andsaca was done and it was then that the loud cheers erupted.

Beside him, Averna stood silently, watching the twisted glee spread over her master's face. Oh, what she wouldn't do to curse that look right off his arrogant visage. But she had to restrain herself, for the plan had not yet been utilized and until it was she had to pretend to be loyal to him. She played her part well. Andsaca only made it easier for her; he was so proud and conceited, so sure that no one, let alone his most faithful servant, would dare disrespect him.

Averna smirked inwardly and flicked her long brown hair over her shoulder. Oh yes, it would be an easy revolution indeed.

~@%%@%%@%%@~

An indulgent smile appeared on Mikona's face; watching his children never ceased to amuse him. Kona and Vitani sat beside each other across the dinner table from their father, arguing animatedly.

“You're so stupid, Kona!”

“And you're childish, Secuba.”

Vitani released a frustrated noise not unlike that of an angry Chihuahua at her twin's use of the scornful title. “Don't call me that!”

“Why ever not? It suits you.”

“Shut up!”

Their heated conversation carried on much in the same way for several minutes, and would have escalated steadily all night, but Mikona knew that if he let it go on for too long he would regret it. His daughter had quite the lively temper.

“That's enough.”

His softly uttered command immediately ceased the banter. Synonymously Kona and Vitani said, “Yes, Father.”

“Good.” Mikona returned to his dinner. `How nice to have the family together for a meal,' he mused, the voice in his mind dripping with sarcasm. He knew that his children were casting scathing glances at each other, but he studiously ignored them. Finishing the last bit of food off his plate, he stood and deposited his utensils in the wash basin.

“Vitani, could you wash the dishes when everyone is finished?”

“Of course, Daddy!” She cast a beaming smile his way. The disgusted look on Kona's face went unnoticed.

“Excellent. Thank you. I'm going to bed now. Make sure you two are up in time for lessons.”

The twins nodded. With that Mikona swept out of the kitchen and headed for his bedroom. Vitani rose and dumped her plate in the basin before turning and making her way to the door.

“Where the hell do you think you're going? Father told you to clean the dishes.” Kona glared at her.

“You finished last. Do them yourself.” Vitani stuck her tongue out at her brother and sauntered from the room.

Ten minutes later, from his place in front of the wash basin where he was angrily but dutifully washing the tableware, Kona heard his sister's victorious giggle resonate throughout the house, finally stopping and ricocheting around in his skull. The sound took up residence in his head and refused to leave for the rest of the night.

~@%%@%%@%%@~

Ave: term used to refer to the beings of the Dark

Secuba: Latin name meaning “second born”

Thank you:
Clarky - Mary - Cookie - Dice

Disclaimer: This story is a product of my imagination. Any and all similarities between real people/places and those in the fiction are purely coincidental.

~ The Neko Kami of the Fruit Loops